Dripping Springs Artist Tour

One of the really wonderful things about living in a city like Austin is the amount of artists who find their way here to create. Some of us end up a little further away from downtown than others but we are all part of the same wonderful collective. Each artist has their own space to create. This can be a little spot at the end of the kitchen table, or a fully fledged studio that is dedicated to their craft. In my opinion to be invited into this space is a real honor. To have the chance to see the handmade tool that might not look like much on the work bench, but in their hands it becomes this invaluable custom made doohickey. Something that no one has ever needed or thought of before, but that they could not construct their work without. This Saturday May 15th you will have that rare opportunity in Dripping Springs, Texas from 10:00-6:00. There will be 5 destinations, 4 art studios and 1 art show. The art studios are Sunset Canyon Pottery, Solstice Gardens, Wesley Gallery, and Carved Stone they are all on or near 290, and you can find a map of the tour. The show will be In the cul-de-sac at Roger Hanks Park and will feature over 50 artists displaying their handmade goods. I am excited to be in such talented company. There will be exhibits at the studios, and it should be an amazing day.

First Thursday on South Congress

First Thursday is one of those wonderful little things about Austin. The small business owners on that street have banded together to have a relaxed and fun evening for all their patrons. They all stay open late and offer music, and chance to meet and get to know your local entrepreneurs. My favorite part is that on this evening little tent villages pop up all along the street. They are filled with local artists who join the festivities to show their wares. I am lucky enough to share in all the fun this go 'round. About a dozen of us from the Etsy Austin team will be out at 1300 South Congress, next to Hey Cupcake, for the very first time. Now I may be biased but you really should come out from 4- dark. The Etsy Austin team has some of the most ambitious, and exciting artists and crafters around. You are sure to find something to tickle your fancy when we show up. I hope to see you out.

3rd Annual Springfest

This will be my fist time at the Springfest and I am really excited. It is at the Hill Country Galleria Mall, on April 24th from 11 am - 9 pm. There will be activities for kids including bounce houses, a dunk tank, face painting, a Velcro wall, and jousting. There will also be live music from great local acts like Two Tons of Steel, Dale Watson, and the Derailers. I think my favorite part will end up being the chili cook off, and the bloody mary contest. Admission is free, and there will be enough going on for a whole day of fun. I am working on a new design for stainless steel vases that I am hopping to premier, and I will have all of my other work as well. It looks like spectacular weather and loads of fun. Stop by and find your mother something amazing for her special day.

The 78704 Market

Here in Austin your zip code says alot about your lifestyle. One of the greatest to live in is the 78704. On any weekend you can head down to South Congress to find all the fun and funky that Austin has to offer. While you are there you will want to check out 1300 South Congress for the 78704 Market. It is sponsored by WeAre78704.com They provide the lot each week and local artists provide the wares. Where else can you have a meal, shop amazing art work, and find your new best friend? There is a crepe trailer, as well as a barbeque one, and a pet rescue. On the third weekend if each month you will get to meet some of the artists from the Etsy Austin team. On a recent weekend I made it out to see what amazing things these folks have come up with.

Merrit Gade makes jewelry for her shop MerrittGade.etsy.com. It moves as if it is alive, and makes you want to feel it. She also makes the most gorgeous tiaras I have ever seen. The kind that make you reconsider a simple lifestyle for the possibility of being a princess.

Jasmine Turner, of TheJasmineGallery.etsy.com has a knack for taking a simple item, like a domino, and transforming it into cool pendant.

I am excited to have a fun funky market like this so close to home. You can drop by any time between 11-6 for all the excitement. I hope to see you there.

You can check out the work of those who will be out this weekend.

ameliabeth.etsy.com

wildmoondesign.etsy.com

lindesigns.etsy.com

Lynnea Edwards

adornmodern.etsy.com

Stacey Samuels

Lynnea Edwards

carolbradleydesigns.com

gypsyharte.etsy.com

happybuddha.etsy.com

GemJunkie.etsy.com

maggie913.etsy.com

etsy.com/shop/ajthepurple

etsy.com/shop/TheJasmineGallery

lindesigns.etsy.com

E.A.S.T. 2009

This was a great weekend, even with the chilly weather on Saturday. Etsy Austin put their best face forward for E.A.S.T. 2009. We had members set up all around, but I was at Smith road Studios as a guest of Faith Schexnayder, of Flat Fork Studio. Faith is one of those artists who does just about everything. She paints, she does mosaics, and she makes the most amazing sculptures of foam. They are so good one little boy asked his dad if a two foot tall lemon slice was real. The show was a lot of fun. It is always a pleasure to spend the day with some crafty ladies, talking about what we do and why. At the building there are several other artists who have space, including a glass blower that would allow you to make your own piece with them. This should certainly be a stop on your route next year. I hope if you were able to get out you had a great experience, and if you were unable there is always next year.

Wheatsville Art Festival

Joy of all joys I have been accepted into the Wheatsville Art Festival. This is so exciting for me. I have been doing smaller shows, and very happy to be able to do them, but the Wheatsville is a highly attended long running show. I am honored to be chosen out of the many applications they receive each year. I am also honored to be setting up shop in the main parking lot near the store. The show will be bigger than ever, and will reach to other parking lots, and stretch out to the Spider house. It will be a true event. On December 5 and 6 you should put on your walking shoes, and come on out to see all of the beautiful art. The show will from 10-5, and it should be a great deal of fun. The Wheatsville Food Co-op, if you are not familiar, is a staple here in Austin. Being on Guadalupe it has been one of the few good choices for students at UT for 33 years now. I can not wait until the show, but I have so much to do. I wonder if Santa can spare an Elf or two.

http://wheatsville.coop/

Labor or Love Arts and crafts show

The Labor or Love Arts and crafts show was a lot of fun. I had great neighbors, which is always a nice treat. The show was in doors, which also a treat. There were plenty of folks out for the chocolate cake. I am told it is famous, and it was rather tasty. I broke away from my little station and picked up a few goodies for my nieces and nephews. For the little man I found a hand made wooden train. He is at that age where anything with wheels will hold his attention. You would not believe how inexpensive this was. Charlie, the toy maker, told me they just try to cover the costs of the toys that they give away. How could I possibly say no after hearing that? He had a lot of other super cute push and pull toys, and hand painted puzzles. These are really pieces of art that a kid can play with, and some day pass down to their own children. Now for the girls it is all about glamour. They want glitz and flash, and is absolutely must be pink. I was thrilled to find this groovy purse made of vintage fabric, by Amy of Sweet tooth. I was even more thrilled to find that she could make me a second one out of the same fabric. It just would not do if they were not alike. Being the cool Aunt is not always that easy but it gets a lot easier when you run into artists of this caliber.

Charlie and Jan bush 512-264-2618
Amy Barber of Sweet Tooth http://www.sweettoothbags.com

Labor of Love

I have a lot of shows lined up for this holiday season the fist of which will be the 18th “Annual Labor of Love Arts and Crafts Show”. It is put on by the Hill Crest Baptist Church here in Austin and looks to be very promising. It is always nice to have an indoor show as the weather turns to rainy or cold. Here in Austin we are right in the thick of the wet and miserable. The show will be jam packed with close to 100 vendors of handmade arts and crafts. It will be my first year in attendance, but the shows organizer tells me that most of their merchants have returned year after year. The proceeds of the show are a fundraiser for their teen mission program. The young people work to raise money for their own accounts by volunteering at events like this, helping the vendors carry their wares, and making sure everything is running smoothly. An indoor show, with help carrying my set up, and by well mannered teenagers no less, someone pinch me. The show will be Friday October 30th from 9-6, and Saturday October 31st from 9-4 at 3838 Steck Ave. Austin, TX 78759. You can find some creative holiday gifts, and still have plenty of time to trick or treat.